W124 E280 AMG or E360 Cabriolet ? Which one?

[shithotfast]

Got a chance to buy either an W124 E280 Cab '95 with full factory fitted AMG body/wheels etc, or same age E36 AMG Cab. Both around the same money, 100k miles.
Allways wanted one of these. The E280 is the right colour and trim etc, but the E36 is rare. (only around 20 ever in the UK) Any one got any experience, ideas of value, is the E36 worth it? £19k

[fatboyharris]

The only W124 cabriolets that Mercedes produced were the E220, E320 and AMG E36. Having owned an E320 Cab for 5 years, all other things being equal I would go for the AMG as it produces 272 bhp compared with 218bhp for the E320 and 150bhp for the E220. The AMG will have a very high spec including lowered suspension, wider lower profile wheels and tyres and probabily traction control. Unless the other car has sportline ( lowered suspension,fatter wheels and tyres and faster turning steering) fitted, the car can be a handful in the wet and be like a barge down tight dry country roads..A car with the AMG kit may only have the body panels fitted and none of the modifications to suspension etc that are very necessary if you want to enjoy the car.
Theres no substitute for power especially as all up these cars are getting on for 2 tonne.

[shithotfast]

thanks for this. Yes the E280 is sportlined, lowered with low profile factory AMG wheels and tyres so looked very low and stiff. Just a nicer colour, spec etc. than the E36...... Difficult one!!!